ByFOIA Improvement Act of 2016—What Is It About and How To File a Request
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), originally created in 1966, had several changes over the years. One of the most prominent amendments to the Freedom of Information Act is the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. This article will elaborate on the changes that occurred with the 2016 bill.
The FOIA, in general, ensures that anyone can file FOIA requests and access public information from agencies unless it falls under one of the exemptions. You can even file a FOIA appeal if you believe you were denied your right to information.
You can find out more about how to file a FOIA request easily and effortlessly with .
The Freedom of Information Act 2016
The Freedom of Information Improvement Act, also known as Bill S.337, was passed in 2016. The FOIA Improvement Act changed how agencies reveal information to the public. The amendments to FOIA were:
- The records and documents must be available in an electronic format such as PDF or online download
- The agencies need to make records that are requested often—three or more times—available to the public on the FOIA or agency’s website
- If an agency is overdue in its response, it can’t charge the fee
- The federal agencies must reveal the requested information unless they reasonably foresee the release of the documents as harmful to national security, trade secrets, or medical information
- Records that are older than 25 years have to be disclosed
- Mediation services can be used to resolve disputes concerning the validity of an agency’s response to a FOIA request between federal agencies and FOIA requesters
- To increase efficiency in responding to FOIA requests, new duties are assigned, for example, for Chief FOIA Officers. The position of a Chief of FOIA Officers Council is also created
- The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must supervise the new online FOIA request portal that will enable requests on one particular website
How To File a FOIA Request With the FOIA Improvement Act Commencement
Agencies post the information that the citizens frequently request, typically more than three times. Before you submit a FOIA request, you should check whether the documents you’re looking for have already been posted.
Once you determine that the information you’re after isn’t available, you can file a FOIA request. We’ll go through:
- What kind of information a FOIA request has to include
- Steps you need to follow when filing the request
What Does a FOIA Request Need To Include?
Every FOIA request letter must contain the following:
- Your full name
- Address or an email address
- Your phone number (if you want the agency to contact you directly)
- A detailed description of which documents you’re requesting—title, name of the author (if applicable), date, etc.
- FOIA fees category or if you’re eligible for a fee waiver
- Whether there’s the need for expedited treatment
- A signed perjury statement or a notary statement if you’re requesting records about yourself
- A third-party release statement if you’re requesting documents containing someone’s personal information
If you’re making a FOIA request on yourself, you’ll also call on the Privacy Act.
Instructions on How To File the FOIA Request by Yourself
Since a central FOIA office doesn’t exist, you’ll need to submit your FOIA request with the agency that holds the information you’re looking for. Most of the agencies encourage requesters to file FOIA requests online using forms on their websites. Some of them also enable you to check your FOIA request status. There are also agencies that accept FOIA requests only in writing.
To file a FOIA request, follow the steps below:
- Do thorough research to determine the specific record you’re looking for
- Find out which agency holds the data you’re after
- Write a request letter and include the required information
- Submit your FOIA via email, letter, fax, or an online form, depending on the agency
How To Make a FOIA Request With DoNotPay
Because the process of filing FOIA requests can be time-consuming and energy-draining, DoNotPay made it faster and easier. Our tool can generate the request letter automatically.
Even though FOIA applies only to federal agencies, DoNotPay’s tool works with both state and local agencies.
Open our platform in your to file a FOIA request with DoNotPay’s help:
- Access the FOIA feature by entering a keyword in our search box
- Provide information about yourself, the agency, and the format you want to receive the records in
- Choose whether you need a fee waiver or expedited request
Other Agencies DoNotPay Can Help With
Our platform can help you file the FOIA request with any agency. You can check out some of them below:
- U.S. Air Force
- Army
- Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Department of Defense (DOD)
- National Security Agency (NSA)
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